Another early dive at Villamendhoo Thila before breakfast. It was difficult descending although we succeeded with our first head first finning descent. The currents were very strong so we were under instructions to grab hold of the reef at the bottom and pull ourselves down. It was our first drift dive and it was very enjoyable.
After breakfast we were all prepared to snorkel and the captain searched for whale sharks. On sight of one near to the Blue Shark Two everyone hurried to the dinghy and donned their masks, snorkels and fins. When the whale shark was in reach the captain ordered everyone to jump and off we went! I managed to get within a metre of it's head and I will never forget the feeling I experienced as I floated, watching the 5.5 metre beauty gracefully swim in the ocean. He seemed to turn his head and swim towards me, at which point Tomer and I clashed and my mask was knocked from my face. I swam out of the whale sharks way and he passed me by. It was amazing! Breathtaking!
After we had all clambered back in to the dinghy, some graceful than others, Ian and I were pulled in head first, the same procedure happened again when the whale shark was again spotted in close proximity!
A little later, after the Blue Shark Two had set off and anchored near the next dive site the same thing happened once more. Everyone rushed to the dinghy and we sped away. We reached another whale shark seconds later and 'jump' was called again! This time the fish was slightly smaller than the last, but still a length of 4.5 metres, and still close to where we splashed into the ocean. It was fantastic!
Dive number two at Maamagiri Corner preceded lunch and was another drift dive. It was easier than this mornings dive and also very enjoyable although unfortunately we didn't see any more whale sharks.
Tomer, Ian and I and a couple of the Japanese opted for another snorkelling session in the afternoon but it was ruined by there being a complete absence of aquatic life and very present strong currents which I struggled against returning to the boat. Once aboard and refreshed we watched 'Spiderman' while the Japanese had their third dive of the day.
We made a brief visit to a local island, Dhangheti, at sunset which gave me an opportunity to buy another sarong and take some lovely photos of the sunset over the ocean.
Copyright 2002 Helen Fuller. All rights reserved.